UNIT 13/14 American and French Revolutions

CONCEPT QUESTIONS 1. How did the Enlightenment lead to revolutionary change around the world? 2. Create a chart outlining the causes, characteristics and consequences of the American, French and Latin American Revolutions? 3. How did each revolution subsequently influence the next revolution? 4. How was the 1st part of the French Revolution different from the 2nd? 5. What were the achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte?

Influences: People began to question the power of their rulers and of the governments using reason Major Effects: Reforms by monarchies Inspired revolutions in the Americas and in Europe Belief in progress Importance of individualism The Enlightenment Opened the Door

Examples: separation of powers, checks and balances, popular sovereignty, and nationalism on political revolutions. Europeans felt they could limit the problems in society by limiting the government’s power. They demanded more control over their lives and insisted that liberty and equality were rights from God in which they were born with.

BRITAIN’S AMERICAN COLONIES  Colonies had their own governments  Used to independence Navigation Acts Could only sell to Britain High import tax on French/Dutch goods Hard to enforce smuggling

AMERICANS WIN INDEPENDENCE  French and Indian war caused high debt  Colonists benefitted, expected to pay  Stamp Act Boycott of English goods causes repeal  Boston Tea Party  First Continental Congress – ignored  Second Continental Congress Lexington/Concord Voted to raise army George Washington

THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Influence of Locke & Rousseau Right to rebel The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson Success Motivation Poor British generals Time/cost French aid (revolutionary ideals) Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown Thomas Jefferson

AMERICANS CREATE A REPUBLIC  Articles of Confederation – republic Power in states, weak national govt. Created Congress with limited power Financial problems Shay’s rebellion  Constitution  Federal System 3 branches, separation of powers, checks and balances Power divided between national and state governments  Bill of Rights Federalists/Anti-federalists 1 st ten amendments – protected basic rights

Painting depicting the Constitutional Convention